Positioning fixtures

ABSTRACT

A fixture for positioning an object relative to a beam, wherein the beam includes a web, is disclosed. The fixture includes a first portion including a first positioning face, a first contact face, and a first clamping face. Each of the first positioning face, the first contact face, and the first clamping face is movable in a first working direction. The fixture also includes a second portion including a second positioning face, a second contact face, and a second clamping face. Each of the second positioning face, the second contact face, and the second clamping face is movable in a second working direction opposite to the first working direction. When the fixture is installed on the beam, the first contact face and the second contact face abut each other, and the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage the web.

BACKGROUND

When assembling structures, such as aircraft, it may be necessary tobond an object, such as a spacer, to a beam. If assembly is halted toaccommodate bonding operations, manufacturing lead time may increase. Ifassembly continues during the bonding operations, the object may beinadvertently displaced from its intended location on the beam and/ordamaged, thereby potentially necessitating costly rework and creatingobjectionable delays.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods intended to address theabove-identified concerns, could find utility.

One example of the present disclosure relates to a fixture forpositioning an object relative to a beam, wherein the beam includes aweb. The fixture includes a first portion including a first positioningface, a first contact face, and a first clamping face. Each of the firstpositioning face, the first contact face, and the first clamping face ismovable in a first working direction. The fixture also includes a secondportion including a second positioning face, a second contact face, anda second clamping face. Each of the second positioning face, the secondcontact face, and the second clamping face is movable in a secondworking direction opposite to the first working direction. When thefixture is installed on the beam, the first contact face and the secondcontact face abut each other, and the first clamping face and the secondclamping face engage the web.

One example of the present disclosure relates to a method of assemblinga structure using a fixture comprising a first portion and a secondportion. The structure includes an object and a beam that furtherincludes a web. The method includes installing the fixture on the beamby gripping the beam between a first clamping face of the first portionand a second clamping face of the second portion, and positioning theobject relative to the beam between a first positioning face of thefirst portion and a second positioning face of the second portionwithout gripping the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the disclosure in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fixture for positioning an objectrelative to a beam;

FIG. 2 is a schematic environmental perspective view of the fixture ofFIG. 1, the view including the object and the beam, according to atleast one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the fixture of FIG. 1, with thebeam omitted, according to another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic environmental side view of the fixture of FIG. 1,according to a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective detail view of two portions of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to still another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective detail view of two portions of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to yet another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective detail view of two portions of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective detail view of a first portion of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to still another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side detail view of a first portion of the fixtureof FIG. 1, according to still a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional detail view of the fixture ofFIG. 1, according to yet a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional detail view of the fixture ofFIG. 1, according to another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective detail view of a portion of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to still another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective detail view of a portion of thefixture of FIG. 1, according to yet a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a method of assembling a structure using afixture, such as the fixture of FIG. 1, according to one aspect of thedisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an aircraft illustrated in FIG. 18, withthe fixture of FIG. 1 installed therein;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the aircraft of FIG. 15, with the fixtureremoved therefrom;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of aircraft production and servicemethodology; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective illustration of the aircraft shown inFIG. 16.

In the block diagram(s) referred to above, solid lines, if any,connecting various elements and/or components may represent mechanical,electrical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic and other couplings and/orcombinations thereof. As used herein, “coupled” means associateddirectly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directlyassociated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith,e.g., via another member C. Couplings other than those depicted in theblock diagrams may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting thevarious elements and/or components represent couplings similar infunction and purpose to those represented by solid lines; however,couplings represented by the dashed lines may either be selectivelyprovided or may relate to alternative or optional aspects of thedisclosure. Likewise, elements and/or components, if any, representedwith dashed lines, indicate alternative or optional aspects of thedisclosure. Environmental elements, if any, are represented with dottedlines.

In the block diagram(s) referred to above, the blocks may also representoperations and/or portions thereof. Lines connecting the various blocksdo not imply any particular order or dependency of the operations orportions thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may bepracticed without some or all of these particulars. In other instances,details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will bedescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understoodthat these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Reference herein to “one example” or “one aspect” means that one or morefeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theexample or aspect is included in at least one implementation. The phrase“one example” or “one aspect” in various places in the specification mayor may not be referring to the same example or aspect.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, one example of the present disclosurerelates to a fixture 100 for positioning an object 10 relative to a beam12, wherein the beam 12 includes a web 14. The fixture 100 includes afirst portion 102 including a first positioning face 104, a firstcontact face 106, and a first clamping face 108. Each of the firstpositioning face 104, the first contact face 106, and the first clampingface 108 is movable in a first working direction 110. The fixture 100also includes a second portion 112 including a second positioning face114, a second contact face 116, and a second clamping face 118. Each ofthe second positioning face 114, the second contact face 116, and thesecond clamping face 118 is movable in a second working direction 120opposite to the first working direction 110. When the fixture 100 isinstalled on the beam 12, the first contact face 106 and the secondcontact face 116 abut each other, and the first clamping face 108 andthe second clamping face 118 engage the web 14.

The first and second positioning faces 104, 114 include surfaces whichneed not necessarily contact or squeeze the object 10, but constrain theobject 10 against lateral displacement along an upper surface of thebeam 12, thereby preserving a selected position of the object 10relative to the beam 12. In the example of FIG. 3, the first and secondpositioning faces 104, 114 are each semi-cylindrical, and are mirrorimages of one another.

The first and second contact faces 106, 116, stabilize the first andsecond portions 102, 112 of the fixture 100 when the fixture 100 isinstalled on the beam 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this context,stabilizing the first and second portions 102, 112 means that the firstand second portions 102, 112 will not be able to spontaneously orinadvertently teeter or pivot relative to the other. Alternativelystated, the first and second portions 102, 112 will maintain solidabutting contact with one another, so that the object 10 remainssurrounded and constrained against lateral displacement along the beam12. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate solid abutting contact. Abutting contactoccurs when the first and second portions 102, 112 are moved in theirrespective working directions 110, 120 to the point of mutual contact.It should be noted that the first and second clamping faces 108, 118 notonly clamp the fixture 100 to the web 14 when the first and secondportions 102, 112 are drawn together to pinch the web 14, as illustratedin FIG. 4, but also perform an additional stabilizing function similarto that of the first and second contact faces 106, 116.

The first and second clamping faces 108, 118 are those surfaces of therespective first and second portions 102, 112 of the fixture 100, whichengage and pinch the web 14 when the fixture 100 is installed on thebeam 12.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 4-7, in one aspect of thedisclosure, which may include at least a portion of the subject matterof any of the preceding and/or following examples and aspects, the firstcontact face 106 includes a first number of contact portions 122 and thesecond contact face 116 includes a second number of contact portions125. The first number of contact portions 122 is equal to the secondnumber of contact portions 125, and the first number of contact portions122 is equal to or greater than one.

In the example of FIG. 2, the first portion 102 includes two contactportions 122, the second portion 112 including two corresponding contactportions 125. A contact portion 122 is that portion of the contact face106 or 116 along which contact is actually being made. Therefore,whereas the contact face 106 or 116 always exists, and is of unchangingconfiguration and geometry in any one contact face 106 or 116, thecontact portion 122 or 125 is defined only when actual contact occurs.That is because a contact face 106 or 116, if utilized with acorresponding contact face 116 or 106 of different configuration, couldcontact the corresponding contact face 116 or 106 at portions thereofdifferent from those of the depicted example. Accordingly, the contactportion 122 or 125 would change with the location or locations of actualcontact, given the different configurations of the associated contactfaces 106, 116.

In FIG. 3, the contact faces 106, 116 of both the first portion 102 andthe second portion 112 are slightly crowned or rounded at theirrespective apices. In this example, contact would occur at one point oneach pair of abutting contact portions 122, 125 (when the contact faces106, 116 abut one another). Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat, as used herein, points of contact refer to physical locations orspots, rather than entities having a position in space, but no extent.Stabilizing of the first portion 102 relative to the second portion 112against teetering in two axes requires at least three spatiallyseparated points of contact on the first and second portions 102, 112.Stabilizing relative to teetering in the third axis of a threedimensional orthogonal system is accomplished when the fixture 100 ispositioned against the flat upper surface of the beam 12, the flat uppersurface being provided in the example of FIG. 2 by the flange 16. Onlytwo points of contact need be provided by the first and second contactfaces 106, 116 in the example of FIG. 2 because the function of a thirdpoint of contact is provided by contact of the first and second clampingface 108, 118 with the web 14 when the fixture 100 is installed on thebeam 12.

By contrast with the example of FIG. 3, wherein two points of contactwould be established upon abutment of the contact faces 106, 116,contact may be made along a line of contact rather than at a point ofcontact. An example of a line of contact is illustrated in FIG. 5,wherein the apices of two crowned contact faces 106, 116 are parallel.These apices make continuous contact along a line (seen as contactportions 122, 125) when their respective contact faces 106, 116 arebrought into mutual contact.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, in one aspect of the disclosure, whichmay include at least a portion of the subject matter of any of thepreceding and/or following examples and aspects, the first contactportions 122, 125 of the contact faces 106 or 116 are one of linear,planar, or curved. The effective (mutually contacting) portions of thecontact faces 122, 125 may be along a line (i.e., at the meeting of theapices of the contact faces 106, 116 shown in FIG. 5). Referring to FIG.2, contact between first and second contact faces 106, 116 is made alongthe extent of two two-dimensional patches of contact between the firstand second portions 102, 112. In FIG. 2, planar contact is made betweena first tab 124 on the first portion 102 and a second tab 126 on thesecond portion 112, resulting in contact portions 122, 125, visible onlyalong their respective edges in FIG. 2.

An example of curved two dimensional contact is illustrated in FIG. 6 bytwo complementary curved contact faces 106, 116 of respective first andsecond portions 102, 112 of the fixture 100 (not shown in its entirety),according to one aspect of the disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6, thecontact faces 106, 116 are complementary, and make contact alongsubstantially their full extents. In this example, each of the contactportions 122, 125 is coextensive with its associated contact face 106 or116. The contact portions 122, 125 may be smaller than or equal to theassociated contact faces 106, 116, but never greater.

A linear first contact portion 122 or 125 (e.g., in FIG. 5) potentiallyminimizes the degree of precision required in fabrication of theassociated first and second portions 102, 112, in that it may not benecessary that the first contact portion 122 or 125 be at a particularlocation on its associated contact face 106 or 116. A planar firstcontact portion 122 or 125 (e.g., in FIG. 2) increases stability ofcontact compared to linear contact. If curved (e.g., in FIG. 6), thefirst contact portion 122 or 125 increases stability of contact comparedto the planar first contact portions 122, 125 (i.e., the planar contactbetween the tabs 124, 126 in FIG. 2) due to greater area of contactalong a given height.

FIG. 7 illustrates two contact portions 122 (and two correspondingcontact portions 125) between the first contact faces 106, 116.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first clamping face 108 includes at least oneclamping portion 138 and the second clamping face 118 includes at leastone clamping portion 141. A clamping portion 138 or 141 is that portionof the respective clamping face 108 or 118 which makes contact with thebeam 12. In the example of FIG. 4, the clamping portion 141 iscoextensive with the clamping face 118. In other possible configurations(e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 11), the clamping portion 141 may besmaller than the clamping face 118. In the example of FIG. 3, the firstportion 102 and the second portion 112 each includes two clamping faces108 or 118. In the view of FIG. 3, one of the clamping faces 108 of thefirst portion 102 is concealed from view. Both of the clamping faces 118of the second portion 112 are visible.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the number of points at which opposedclamping portions 138, 141 and opposed contact portions 122, 125 meet isat least three. Thus, at least three points of support are establishedto stabilize the first and second portions 102, 112 of the fixture 100.

The clamping faces 108 or 118 need not be planar, as illustrated in FIG.4. Associated clamping portions 138, 141 may be linear, planar in twodimensions (if the clamping face 108 or 118 is planar, as illustrated inthe example of FIG. 4), or planar in three dimensions. Turning to FIG.11, a clamping face 118 and associated clamping portion 141 are planar,yet are distributed throughout three dimensions. The clamping faces 108,118 and their associated clamping portions 138, 141 are two dimensional,and because they are curved, occupy three dimensions.

To accommodate normal alignment variations of the clamping face 118 (or108) with the beam 12 that might occur due to manufacturing tolerances,for example, the actual area of contact of a clamping portion 138 or 141may be smaller than its associated clamping face 108 or 118. This wouldensue from, for example, curved clamping faces 108, 118 abutting the web14, as illustrated in FIG. 11

In FIG. 13, the second portion 112 has a single clamping face 116 whichspans the same lateral distance or dimension as the two separate contactfaces 116. In the example of FIG. 13, the two contact faces 116 and theclamping face 118 collectively establish three points of contact whenthe second portion 112 abuts a corresponding first portion 102. Thisholds true even if the corresponding first portion 102 includes twoclamping faces 108, as seen in FIG. 3.

Having at least three points of contact distributed between the firstand second contact faces 106, 116 and between the first and secondclamping faces 108, 118 promotes stability of contact between the firstportion 102 and the second portion 112 when resting on the beam 12 andmutually abutting.

Referring to FIG. 1, but with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, inone aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the fixture 100 includes means 137 for drawing the firstportion 102 toward the second portion 112. The means 137 for drawing thefirst portion 102 toward the second portion 112 causes the fixture 100to maintain its position surrounding and constraining the object 10 at aselected location on the beam 12. As used herein, the means 137 are tobe interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless otherwise explicitlystated. It should be noted that examples provided herein of anystructure, material, or act in support of any of the means-plus-functionclauses, and equivalents thereof, may be utilized individually or incombination. Thus, while various structures, materials, or acts may bedescribed in connection with a means-plus-function clause, anycombination thereof or of their equivalents is contemplated in supportof such means-plus-function clause.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, in one aspect of the disclosure, whichmay include at least a portion of the subject matter of any of thepreceding and/or following examples and aspects, the first portion 102includes the first tab 124, and the second portion 112 includes thesecond tab 126. Referring also to FIG. 3, in one aspect of thedisclosure, which may include at least a portion of the subject matterof any of the preceding and/or following examples and aspects, the firsttab 124 includes a first hole 132 and the second tab 126 includes asecond hole 134. The first and second tabs 124, 126 provide suitablelocations for the first and second holes 132, 134. In turn, the firstand second holes 132, 134 can receive the means 137, which in theexample of FIG. 3 includes a clamp operable to draw the first portion102 toward the second portion 112. An example of a suitable clamp isthat of a pin 136 having a radially expansible portion. The pin 136 maybe a Cleco fastener, a commercial product of the Cleveland PneumaticTool Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, currently in widespread use inaircraft repair and maintenance. In the example of FIG. 3, the means 137for drawing the first portion 102 toward the second portion 112 includesthe tab 124 and its associated hole 132, the tab 126 and its associatedhole 134, and the pin 136.

As alternatives to the pin 136 and tabs 124, 126, the means 137 mayinclude one or more threaded fasteners with or without a nut, anovercenter device, a spring arrangement without an associated pin suchas the pin 136, a latch or other element incorporating a cam, one ormore magnets, or a powered assembly, such as by electrical, hydraulic,or pneumatic power (none of these options is shown).

The means 137, depicted as a discrete or fully self-contained elementsin FIG. 1, may include a second clamp or other device capable of drawingthe first portion 102 toward the second portion 112. For example, themeans 137 may include two pins 136, as shown in FIG. 3. The second means137 may include structure identical (although in mirror imagearrangement, in the example of FIG. 3) to that of the first means 137.Where provided as plural assemblies including the second means 137, asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the various assemblies of the means 137may be dissimilar. Providing the second means 137 for drawing the firstportion 102 toward the second portion 112 may assist in applyingbilaterally symmetrical pulling forces on the fixture 100. Furthermore,the second means 137 may facilitate a design such as that illustrated inFIG. 3, wherein the clamps such as the pin 136 are located to the sideof the fixture 100, thereby leaving the upper surface of the fixture 100available for additional features, as will be detailed hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 10, in one aspect of the disclosure, which may includeat least a portion of the subject matter of any of the preceding and/orfollowing examples and aspects, when the fixture 100 is installed on thebeam 12, a clearance fit exists between the object 10 and each of thefirst positioning face 104 and second positioning face 114. Theclearance fit, indicated by a gap between the object 10 and each of thefirst and second positioning faces 104, 114, enables insertion of theobject 10 into place within the assembled fixture 100 after the latterhas been installed on the beam 12, and also protects the object 10 frompotentially distorting forces which could arise from the fixture 100 ifthe fixture 100 were to actively clamp the object 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one aspect of the disclosure, which may includeat least a portion of the subject matter of any of the preceding and/orfollowing examples and aspects, at least a portion of at least one ofthe first positioning face 104 or the second positioning face 114 isconcave. A concavity forms a receptacle configured to receivecylindrical objects 10 in close cooperation therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in one aspect of the disclosure, which mayinclude at least a portion of the subject matter of any of the precedingand/or following examples and aspects, at least a portion of at leastone of the first positioning face 104 or the second positioning face 114is convex. The first portion 102 includes the positioning face 104 andassociated convexities 143. The convexities 143 may reduce demands forprecision of fabrication of the first and second portions 102, 112 sincecontact need occur only at points or lines of contact, rather than alonga surface, and may also facilitate engaging objects 10 (see FIG. 3) ofirregular outer shapes and configurations (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 3, in one aspect of the disclosure, which mayinclude at least a portion of the subject matter of any of the precedingand/or following examples and aspects, at least one of the firstclamping face 108 or the second clamping face 118 includes aslip-resistant treatment 135. When the fixture 100 is installed on thebeam 12, the slip-resistant treatment 135 opposes unintended slippage ofthe fixture 100 along the beam 12, thereby maintaining the object 10 inthe selected location. The slip-resistant treatment 135 may be two sidedadhesive tape. Alternatively, the slip-resistant treatment 135 could bea layer of adhesive applied directly to the contact surface of theclamping faces 108 or 118, an elastomeric coating having frictioncharacteristics similar to those of adhesive tape, applied to thecontact surface, texturing (e.g., tread patterns, etc.) applied to thecontact surface, etc. (these options are not shown). As a furtheralternative, the first portion 102 or the second portion 112 or bothcould be formed fully or partially from a material, such as rubber andrubber-like synthetic materials, displaying inherent frictioncharacteristics which oppose sliding of the fixture 100 along the beam12.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one aspect of the disclosure, which may includeat least a portion of the subject matter of any of the preceding and/orfollowing examples and aspects, the fixture 100 includes a visualwarning indicator 140 on at least one of the first portion 102 or thesecond portion 112. The visual warning indicator 140 may includeindicia, such as the legend “Remove”. The visual warning indicator 140serves as a reminder to remove the fixture 100 from the assembly whichincludes the beam 12. The fixture 100 may be a temporary measure forlocating the object 10 while construction and other operations proceed,and may be unnecessary or even undesirable in the finished structure.Alternatively or in addition, any part of the fixture 100 could includea bright or colorful surface which visually clashes with surfacecharacteristics of the beam 12 or of the object 10, thereby serving asthe reminder by virtue of conspicuousness. The bright or colorfulsurface may entirely cover its associated surface, or may comprise apattern on the associated surface.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, when the fixture 100 is installed on the beam 12, the firstpositioning face 104 and the second positioning face 114 delimit acavity 18 therebetween. Turning to FIG. 4, the fixture 100 also includesa cover 142 sized to overlap the cavity 18. The cavity 18 receives theobject 10. The cover 142 protects the object 10 from incidental contactand potential damage in the course of construction.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the cover 142 is attachable to one of the first portion 102 andthe second portion 112, for example, by bolts 144. This arrangementaffords access to the object 10 or the cavity 18, for inspection,replacement, or service, etc., without removing the fixture 100 from thebeam 12.

Referring to FIG. 9, in one aspect of the disclosure, which may includeat least a portion of the subject matter of any of the preceding and/orfollowing examples and aspects, the cover 142 is monolithic with one ofthe first portion 102 and the second portion 112. Monolithicconstruction eliminates the cover 142 as a separate component, andovercomes the possibility that the cover 142 (if not monolithic with thefirst portion 102 or the second portion 112) or the bolts 144 will belost or misplaced.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, in one aspect of the disclosure, which mayinclude at least a portion of the subject matter of any of the precedingand/or following examples and aspects, the cover 142 includes at leastone ventilation channel 146. Bonding of the object 10 to the beam 12,where a curable bonding agent such as a liquid adhesive or epoxy isused, may be expedited by ventilating the cavity 18, especially withheated air.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, in one aspect of the disclosure, whichmay include at least a portion of the subject matter of any of thepreceding and/or following examples and aspects, at least one of thefirst portion 102 or the second portion 112 includes at least oneventilation channel 146. Ventilation channels 146 located in the firstor second portions 102, 112 may increase cross sectional area forventilating, and may also enable a source of ventilation (not shown) toact on the fixture 100 laterally, rather than encumbering the uppersurface thereof.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, wherein the beam 12 includes the flange 16, the first portion102 includes a first relief recess 148 including a first wall surface150, and the second portion 112 includes a second relief recess 152including a second wall surface 154. When the fixture 100 is installedon the beam 12, the first wall surface 150 is not in contact with theflange 16 and the second wall surface 154 is not in contact with theflange 16. The first and second wall surfaces 150, 154 are thosesurfaces of the respective first and second relief recesses 148, 152which are substantially vertical as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. Thefirst and second relief recesses 148, 152 are larger than the flange 16,thereby being able to pass the flange 16 through the first and secondrelief recesses 148, 152 without imposing distorting forces on ormarring the flange 16.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the first relief recess 148 is located between the firstpositioning face 104 and the first clamping face 108, and the secondrelief recess 152 is located between the second positioning face 114 andthe second clamping face 118. This configuration enables the first andsecond portions 102, 112 to interfit closely with the beam 12 having theflange 16 projecting perpendicularly from the web 14, such as an I-beamor an H-beam.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, in one aspect of the disclosure, whichmay include at least a portion of the subject matter of any of thepreceding and/or following examples and aspects, the first portion 102includes a first relief feature 156 between the first wall surface 150and the first positioning face 104, and the second portion 112 includesa second relief feature 158 between the second wall surface 154 and thesecond positioning face 114. The first and second relief features 156,158 provide an expansion space for a bead 159 of adhesive or epoxy whichcould migrate from between the object 10 and the beam 12 when the object10 is fixed to the beam 12.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, each of the first relief feature 156 and the second relieffeature 158 is one of a chamfer 160 (FIG. 10) or a counterbore 162 (FIG.11). The chamfer 160 may be machined into a die (not shown) for moldingthe first and second portions 102, 112, or may be machined into thefirst and second portions 102 or 112 if not originally formed with thefirst or second relief feature 156 or 158. The counterbore 162 increasesthe volume available to receive the bead 159, compared to the volume ofthe chamfer 160.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-13, and with particular reference to FIG.14, one example of the present disclosure relates to a method 200 ofassembling a structure using the fixture 100 comprising the firstportion 102 and the second portion 112. The structure includes theobject 10 and the beam 12 that also includes the web 14. The method 200includes installing the fixture 100 on the beam 12 by gripping the beam12 between the first clamping face 108 of the first portion 102 and thesecond clamping face 118 of the second portion 112 (block 202), andpositioning the object 10 relative to the beam 12 between the firstpositioning face 104 of the first portion 102 and the second positioningface 114 of the second portion 112 without gripping the object 10 (block204). The object 10 may thus be immobilized at a selected location alongthe beam 12 and bonded in place, for example.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the beam 12 includes the flange 16 projecting from the web 14.Installing the fixture 100 on the beam 12 includes locating the flange16 between the first relief recess 148 formed in the first portion 102and the second relief recess 152 formed in the second portion 112 toavoid contact between the flange 16 and the fixture 100 (block 206).Some incidental contact of the flange 16 and the fixture 100 may occur.However, because of a gap which exists between the flange 16 and thefixture 100 due to dimensions of the first and second relief recesses148, 152, no injurious pressure is exerted on the flange 16. The flange16 is thereby not marred by the fixture 100.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the method 200 includes forming an adhesive bond between theobject 10 and the beam 12 (block 208). The adhesive bond avoids drillingand other invasive methods which could damage the beam 12. This isparticularly significant in structures such as an aircraft 1102 (seeFIG. 15), wherein the beam 12 may be of a composite materialparticularly susceptible to damage.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, forming the adhesive bond between the object 10 and the beam 12includes applying to the object 10 at least one of heat or air flowthrough the fixture 100 (block 210). Heat and air flow, obtained from anindustrial air blower incorporating heating elements (not shown), forexample, expedite curing of adhesives and epoxies.

Referring also to FIG. 15, in one aspect of the disclosure, which mayinclude at least a portion of the subject matter of any of the precedingand/or following examples and aspects, the method 200 includes restingat least a portion of a temporary platform 19 on the fixture 100 atleast while the adhesive bond is being formed (block 212). The temporaryplatform enables assembly operations to be performed while the bondsecuring the object 10 to the beam 12 cures. This may be desirable inmaintaining a construction schedule in large and expensive structuressuch as the aircraft 1102.

Referring also to FIG. 16, in one aspect of the disclosure, which mayinclude at least a portion of the subject matter of any of the precedingand/or following examples and aspects, the method 200 includes restingat least one of a movable or a stationary load 20 on the temporaryplatform 19 (block 214). Accommodation of movable and stationary loadspermits work materials, tools, personnel, and diverse equipment (noneshown) to be stored and used where the object 10 may be curing, therebyfurther facilitating ongoing assembly operations to the structure whilethe object 10 bonds to the beam 12.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the method 200 includes removing the temporary platform 19(block 216); removing the fixture 100 from the beam 12 after theadhesive bond has been formed (block 218); resting at least a portion ofa final platform 22 on the fixture 100 (block 220); and coupling thefinal platform 22 to the structure 100 at a component 24 of thestructure 100 other than the beam 12 (block 222). Removing the temporaryplatform 19 and the fixture 100 from the beam 12, and coupling the finalplatform 22 to the structure 100 enable final assembly to be performed.Coupling the final platform 22 at the component 24 other than the beam12 enables the final platform 22 to enjoy support from the beam 12 byresting the final platform 22 on the object 10, but without bonding thefinal platform 22 to the object 10. This may prevent the object 10 frombeing dislodged from the beam 12, while still accommodating weight borneby the final platform 22.

In one aspect of the disclosure, which may include at least a portion ofthe subject matter of any of the preceding and/or following examples andaspects, the method 200 includes isolating the object 10 from anexternal force applied along an axis passing through the object 10(block 224). Isolating or shielding the object 10 from external forcesmay be performed by surrounding the object 10 with the fixture 100. Thecover 142 may be used to shield the object 10 from contact from above.This protects the object 10 from being dislodged or damaged in thecourse of construction or assembly of the structure.

The disclosure and drawing figure(s) describing the operations of themethod(s) set forth herein should not be interpreted as necessarilydetermining a sequence in which the operations are to be performed.Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it is to beunderstood that the sequence of the operations may be modified whenappropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in adifferent order or simultaneously. Additionally, in some aspects of thedisclosure, not all operations described herein need be performed.

Examples of the disclosure may be described in the context of anaircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 as shown in FIG. 17 andthe aircraft 1102 as shown in FIG. 18. During pre-production,illustrative method 1100 may include specification and design 1104 ofthe aircraft 1102 and material procurement 1106. During production,component and subassembly manufacturing 1108 and system integration 1110of the aircraft 1102 take place. Thereafter, the aircraft 1102 may gothrough certification and delivery 1112 to be placed in service 1114.While in service by a customer, the aircraft 1102 is scheduled forroutine maintenance and service 1116 (which may also includemodification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of the illustrative method 1100 may be performedor carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator(e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a systemintegrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraftmanufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party mayinclude, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, andsuppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, militaryentity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 18, the aircraft 1102 produced by the illustrativemethod 100 may include an airframe 1118 with a plurality of high-levelsystems 1120 and an interior 1122. Examples of high-level systems 1120include one or more of a propulsion system 1124, an electrical system1126, a hydraulic system 1128, and an environmental system 1130. Anynumber of other systems may be included. The final platform alluded toabove may be a floor of a passenger compartment of the aircraft 1102.Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the inventionmay be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry.

Apparatus and methods shown or described herein may be employed duringany one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and service method1100. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding tocomponent and subassembly manufacturing 1108 may be fabricated ormanufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies producedwhile the aircraft 1102 is in service. Also, one or more aspects of theapparatus, method, or combination thereof may be utilized during theproduction states 1108 and 1110, for example, by substantiallyexpediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an aircraft 1102.Similarly, one or more aspects of the apparatus or method realizations,or a combination thereof, may be utilized, for example and withoutlimitation, while the aircraft 1102 is in service, e.g., maintenance andservice 1116.

Different examples and aspects of the apparatus and methods aredisclosed herein that include a variety of components, features, andfunctionality. It should be understood that the various examples andaspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein may include any ofthe components, features, and functionality of any of the other examplesand aspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein in anycombination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Many modifications and other examples of the disclosure set forth hereinwill come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosurepertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings describe example embodiments in the context ofcertain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, itshould be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/orfunctions may be provided by alternative implementations withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fixture for positioning an object relative to abeam, wherein the beam includes a web, the fixture comprising: a firstportion comprising: a first positioning face, a first contact face, anda first clamping face, each of the first positioning face, the firstcontact face, and the first clamping face movable in a first workingdirection; and a first tab, a second portion comprising: a secondpositioning face, a second contact face, and a second clamping face,each of the second positioning face, the second contact face, and thesecond clamping face movable in a second working direction opposite thefirst working direction, and a second tab; and a fastener, orthogonal tothe first tab and to the second tab, wherein the fastener is configuredto draw the first portion toward the second portion by drawing the firsttab toward the second tab, wherein, when the fixture is installed on thebeam, the first contact face and the second contact face abut eachother, the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage theweb, and the first positioning face and the second positioning faceposition the object relative to the beam.
 2. The fixture of claim 1,wherein: the first contact face comprises a first number of contactportions and the second contact face comprises a second number ofcontact portions; the first number of contact portions is equal to thesecond number of contact portions; and wherein the first number ofcontact portions is equal to or greater than one.
 3. The fixture ofclaim 1, wherein the first contact face is one of linear, planar, orcurved.
 4. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the first tab comprises afirst hole and the second tab comprises a second hole.
 5. The fixture ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first clamping face or the secondclamping face includes a slip-resistant treatment.
 6. The fixture ofclaim 1, further comprising a visual warning indicator on at least oneof the first portion or the second portion.
 7. The fixture of claim 1,wherein: when the fixture is installed on the beam, the firstpositioning face and the second positioning face delimit a cavitytherebetween; and the fixture further comprises a cover sized to overlapthe cavity.
 8. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the cover is attachableto one of the first portion and the second portion.
 9. The fixture ofclaim 7, wherein the cover is monolithic with one of the first portionand the second portion.
 10. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the covercomprises at least one ventilation channel.
 11. The fixture of claim 7,wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion furthercomprises at least one ventilation channel.
 12. The fixture of claim 1,wherein: the first portion further comprises a first relief recessincluding a first wall surface; the second portion further comprises asecond relief recess including a second wall surface; and when thefixture is installed on the beam, the first wall surface is not incontact with a flange on the beam and the second wall surface is not incontact with the flange.
 13. The fixture of claim 12, wherein: the firstrelief recess is located between the first positioning face and thefirst clamping face; and the second relief recess is located between thesecond positioning face and the second clamping face.
 14. The fixture ofclaim 12, wherein the first portion further comprises a first relieffeature between the first wall surface and the first positioning face;and the second portion further comprises a second relief feature betweenthe second wall surface and the second positioning face.
 15. The fixtureof claim 14, wherein each of the first relief feature and the secondrelief feature is one of a chamfer or a counterbore.
 16. The fixture ofclaim 1, wherein, when the fixture is installed on the beam, a clearancefit exists between the object and each of the first positioning face andsecond positioning face.
 17. The fixture of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of at least one of the first positioning face or the secondpositioning face is concave.
 18. The fixture of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of at least one of the first positioning face or thesecond positioning face is concave.